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Lancaster County hearing advances text amendment to explicitly recognize observatories and passive recreation
Summary
The Board held a public hearing on Text Amendment 26007 to expand the county definition of "recreational facilities" to include passive uses such as observatories, bird watching and nature walks; proponents said the change creates a process for future permits but does not approve any specific project.
The Lancaster County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on July 21 on Text Amendment 26007, a proposal to expand the county zoning definition of “recreational facilities” to explicitly encompass passive recreational uses including observatories.
Ann Post, attorney for Rembolt Ludtke representing Branched Oak Observatory, told the Board that "the proposed text amendment would address the omission by expanding the definition of recreational facilities to include passive recreational uses such as astronomy, bird watching, and nature walks." She and other supporters emphasized that approving the amendment would not authorize construction of a specific facility, but would create a pathway through the special-permit process for passive uses.
Matthew Anderson, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Branched Oak Observatory, testified in support and described the observatory’s educational mission and its reach to residents across the county and state. Eric Hubble, Interim Board President of the observatory, also testified and answered board questions about programming and community benefits.
Lincoln-Lancaster County Planner George Wesselhoft said the language was intentionally broad to allow similar passive-recreation uses in the future and reiterated that "approval of the text amendment would not authorize any development"; individual projects would still require separate special-permit applications and detailed review.
The Board closed the hearing. No action to adopt the amendment was taken at this meeting; any future permit or project would return to the Planning Commission and Board under the special-permit process.
